Percy and Annabeth-Their future

A Jackson Family Christmas

*** BE SURE TO READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END! ****

--December 21st--

"Mommy, I'm adding a few more things to my list, okay?" Sophia looked at me, her green eyes pleading into my inner-push-over.

"More, Soph?" Percy interjected from the kitchen.

"Well, it's not that much! I mean, my list is pretty short..." Actually, it wasn't. Sophia's Christmas List was jam-packed with this and that, things I never would've even thought of at that age. I mean, a make up kit? No way, not at 8 years old. That's crazy.

"Mommy, how do you spell paint?" Lena tugged on my arm.

"P-A-I-N-T."

"Thanks!" She had lost her lisp early. The chaos of the Jackson house was at its minimalist state.

"Mom, all I want for Christmas is a dog. And a hockey stick. A real one." Rion's over-sized hockey jersey trailed on the ground from his seat at the kitchen table. 

"Ri, another hockey stick? We just got you one." Percy washed the dishes from our tasty lasagna dinner as I dried/helped with all the Christmas lists.

"Dad! That was a little kid one. I want a real one. There's a big difference." Sophia chuckled under her breath.

"What's so funny?" Rion stomped over to Sophia, who simply replied that he sounded like a baby, which caused Percy to whisper to Sophia about not teasing her younger siblings and being the good example.

"Fine," she huffed.  Luke and Taylor doodled scribbles of their drawings, and I was constantly asking them what the drawings were of.  Percy and I had loads of shopping to do, and so did Santa. Oh, Santa has tons of stuff to do... Darn.

|| The current standings for lists were:

Sophia: DOG!!!!!, Make up kit, Uggs, clothes, Princess and the Prince DVD, DOG!!!!!!!!! (please??), nail polish, soccer ball, diving lessons, puppy, tv in my room, new colored pencils, 3 more journals, a trophy case

Rion: Dog, hockey stick, dog, hockey stick, dog, hockey stick. Please??

Lena: Paint, crayons, pencils, sketchbook, pastels, art table

Taylor: Piano, new doll, doll crib/stroller

Luke: Dog, Soccer ball, baseball bat, hockey stick, golf clubs, tennis racket ||

I glanced at Percy, handing him the lists. 

"Okay, guys! Upstairs! Teeth brushed, PJs on!" It sounded like elephants as they all pounded up the stairs, pushing and shoving each other. Once they were all safely out of earshot, I whispered,

"When are we going Santa Shopping?"  Percy looked hard and long at the list. 

"We have to get one." I looked at Percy, puzzled.

"What the heck are you talking about?" He pointed to one word on 3 of the 5 lists. 

"You're crazy."

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**The Next Day**

"DING DONG! DING DONG!"  I ran to open the door, knowing who was behind it before I did so.

"Annabeth, dear! How have you been?" Sally kissed my cheek, and I took her coat from her. 

"Hi Sally! I've been great. How about you?" Sally smiled at the kids, huddled together on the sofa watching ELF. 

"I've been wonderful. Look at those angels," We smiled at them, their faces completely glued to the screen.

"Hey Mom!" Percy ran down the stairs, pulling on his jacket in the midst of it all. They hugged and chatted a bit as I refilled the popcorn. When the doorbell rung again, I opened it again to Paul's jolly, and rounder, face.